University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Movement South and Westward
Following Eli Whitney's invention in 1793 of the cotton gin -- a machine that separated raw cotton from seeds and other waste -- the cotton market boomed. Planters in the South bought land from small farmers who frequently moved farther...
The History Cat
The History Cat: Westward Expansion
Here you can learn about the Oregon Trail, Donner Party, the California Gold Rush, and life as a pioneer through text, images, video, and quotes.
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: Jo's Journey Teaching Guide [Pdf]
Jo's Journey, a novel by Nikki Tate, follows the adventures of an orphan girl named Jo as she heads north disguised as a boy to look for gold during the Caribou Gold Rush. This teacher's guide includes a book summary, teaching ideas and...
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: Strawberry Moon Teaching Guide [Pdf]
Strawberry Moon, a novel by Becky Citra, continues to follow the life of Ellie, a young girl living in Upper Canada in the 1830s. In this story, her strict grandmother has come to take her back to England and Ellie doesn't want to go....
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: Secret Signs Teaching Guide [Pdf]
In Secret Signs, a novel by Jacqueline Guest set in the Depression, a young boy runs away from home to look for his father. He learns that he shouldn't take home for granted. This teacher's guide includes a book summary, teaching ideas...
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: Five Stars for Emily Teaching Guide [Pdf]
Five Stars for Emily, a novel written by Kathleen Cook Waldron, looks at a young girl's experience of leaving modern comforts behind and going to live in a log cabin without electricity. This teacher's guide includes a book summary,...
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: Max and Ellie Books Teaching Guide [Pdf]
The Ellie and Max books by Becky Citra take place in pioneer times and follow the experiences of a brother and sister in Upper Canada. This teacher's guide includes a book summary, teaching ideas and the author's reflections on writing...
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: Runaway Teaching Guide [Pdf]
In Runaway, a novel by Becky Citra, a boy must make some difficult decisions about whether to help another boy that he has seen steal but who is also being physically abused. The story is set in the 1830s in Upper Canada. This teacher's...
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Journeys West
A series of lessons utilizing primary texts, including narratives, photographs, and maps, through which learners explore the following question: "What motivated thousands of people to journey west during the 1800s?"
Curated OER
Bureau of Land Management: Basic Facts About the Oregon Trail
Learn basic facts about the Oregon Trail and the early pioneers who used it in their move West.
Other
Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area: Introduction to Pioneer Farming
Examines the topics of soil fertility, the first farmers, the fur trade, and pioneer farmers.
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: English Language Arts: Grade 3: Louisiana Purchase
Third graders learn about the Louisiana Purchase and the characteristics of pioneers during this time period. While exploring literary and informational texts, including quotes from primary source documents, 3rd graders discuss elements...
Digital History
Digital History: Life on the Trail
Read what life was like for the pioneers traveling west in wagon trains, especially along the Oregon Trail.
Digital History
Digital History: Pioneers
Read about the pioneers that migrated West and see what drove some of them to seek a new way of life.
Digital History
Digital History: Opening the West
Read how quickly the borders of settlement explanded once the pioneers got started moving west.
Other
Uwo: Early Writing in Canada Susannah Moodie
These are excerpts from Susannah Moodie's book 'Roughing it in the Bush'.
Other
County of Peterborough: Lang Pioneer Village Museum
Visit this early pioneer village that features restored buildings constructed between 1820 and 1899. Explore the interactive map of the settlement. View artifacts from the period and several video clips that provide a picture of life...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Australia's Explorers
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart resource provides a framework in which students can explore and research some of Australia's early explorers.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Site provides some historical information on early prairie life through the eyes of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Frontier Life
This is the accompanying website for the popular PBS reality show, The Frontier House. Includes historical essays, quotations, and illustrations. Reading level suitable for upper elementary and middle school.